Ornament



G. A. GREENE Jan. 12, 1937.

V ORNAMENT Filed Dec. 11

INVENTOR. v GEORGE ,4. G/PEf/VE.

BY Z

, ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ornaments and has particular relation to an ornament to be suspended as from a string or the branch of a tree or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an ornament which may be manufactured at low cost and which may be made up in a wide variety of designs, sizes and colors.

Another object is to provide an ornament which will maintain its shape and cannot be easily or casually collapsed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the 15'. accompanying drawing where satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing an ornament made up according to the present invention and comprising three devices each constructed according to the present invention and suspend ed one under the other;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the devices of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing an element of one of the devices of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified construction of ornament;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of an element of the ornament of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a rear elevational view of the other 4 element of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the element of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view showing devices constructed substantially the same as that of Fig. 5 but suspended in a different manner; and

45 Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the lower device of Fig. 9.

Referring in detail to the drawing, and at first particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, it will be noted that the improved ornament is preferably made 50. up of a number of devices suspended one under the other. Each device in and of itself comprises a complete ornamental piece but it is preferred that several of the devices be strung together in making up'an ornament. Fig. 1 shows an orna- 551 ment comprising devices ll, 12 and. I3. These devices are of the same construction but as shown diifer as to size and if desired they may also differ as to color.

Each of the devices is made up of a pair of similar elements l4 and [5 which elements are each formed from a single piece of sheet metal or other suitable material of the desired or proper gauge and the element l4 includes angularly related Wings I6 and H connected by a fiat portion l8 while the element I5 includes angularly re- 10, lated wings I9 and 20 connected by a flat portion 2|. The fiat portion iii of the member I4 is provided with openings 22 through its upper and lower end portions and the flat portion 2| of the element [5 has spaced portions 23 pressed there- 15 from and carried through the openings 22 and turned over as best shown in Fig. 2 whereby the flat connecting portions of the respective elements are riveted together thereby securing the respective elements of the device together with the flat connecting portion solidly against one another.

When the elements are assembled as described it will be appreciated that they are securely connected and that their flat portions being against one another there is a wide surface of one contacting a similar surface of the other and that the elements being held with such surfaces in engagement the elements are not free to rock on one another and may not be collapsed on one an- 30 other except by bending of their wings. When the material 23 of the element i5 is forced through the openings 22 in the element I4 this material takes substantially the shape of hollow rivets and results in the formation of openings 24 35 through the element IS in alignment with the opening 22' through the elements l4.

Devices made by assembling elements as above described may be used separately as ornaments or a plurality of such devices may be connected by suspending one under the other. In Fig. 1 the device I2 is connected with the device H by a link 25 and the device I3 is connected to the device I2 by another link of the same construction. These links 25 comprise lengths of wire bent into a diamond shape as shown and having their end portions 26 and 21 overlapping whereby the links are completely closed. When connecting the devices the overlapped end portions 26 and 21 of a link are moved apart or opened and one end portion is threaded through the aligned openings at the upper end of a device as the device l2 and then the said end portion of the link is passed through the aligned openings at the lower end of the device ll after which the end portions of the link are moved to close the latter. The same operation is performed to connect an additional device, as for example the device I3 to the ornament.

A member 28 is used for suspending the ornament from a string or the branch of a tree or the like. This member 28 is also formed from a single length of wire, one end portion of "which is bent to provide a hook 23 and the other end portion of which is bent to provide the diamond shaped portion 33 which is completely closed since its arm 3| is against the arm or portion 32 connecting the diamond shaped portion and the hook 29. When applying the member 28 its diamond shaped portion is opened sufficiently to permit threading of the device ll into said portion and then the portion is closed so that the assembly is as shown in Fig. 1. it will be noted that the member 28 and the links 25 pass freely through the openings in the devices so that the devices may have relative movement.

It is not necessary that the elements of the various devices have the particular shape shown since they may be any desired shape, size or color. The different devices may be different colors and if desired the elements making a single device may be of different colors or may be differently colored on opposite sides. Additionally, an ornament may comprise but a single device with asuspending hook or the ornament may comprise a number of devices of the same or different sizes and colors and connected together in any desired order. The surfaces of the various elements are light reflecting.

In Figs. 5 through 8 the device generally designated 33 includes a pair of members 34 and 35 each formed from a single piece of sheet metal or other similar material and of which the member 34 includes wings 36 and 37 at right angles to one another while the member 35 includes wings 38 and 39 also at right angles to one another. The wings 36 and 3'l are slotted from their upper ends as at 43 and 4| while the wings 38 and 39 are slotted from their lower ends as at 42 and 43. Adjacent its juncture with the wing 31 the wing 33 at its upper and lower ends is provided with openings 44 and 45 while at similar points the wing 38 is provided with openings 46 and 41.

In assembling the elements 34 and 35 to provide the device 33 the said elements are arranged with the lower edges of the wings of the element 35 extending across the upper edges of the wings of the element 34'and with the slots 42 and 43 of the element 35 aligned with the slots 49 and 43 respectively of the elements 34. Thereafter, the elements are pushed toward one another and the unslotted portions of the wings 33 and 31 are received in the slots 43 and 42 while the unslotted portions of the wings 39 and 38 are received in the slots 40 and 4|. When the closed ends of the slots are in engagement the openings 44 and 45 are in alignment with the openings 46 and 4i and a suspending means as, for example the hook 43, may be passed through the registering openings 44 and 43. In addition to providing a suspending means the hook 43 secures the elements together and it will be apparent that any suitable connecting means may be used for suspending a series of the devices- 33 one below the other. The devices 33 may be made in the desired sizes, shapes and colors and an ornament may comprise one such device or a series of the same and the different elements In that figure of the devices may be of the same or different colors or may be colored differently on different sides and preferably have light reflecting surfaces.

Figs. 9 and 10, particularly Fig. 9, suggest a different method of suspending the devices 33.

The devices of Figs. 9 and 10 are of the same construction as the form of the invention shownin Figs. 5 through 8 with the exception that no openings are provided for the passage of hooks or links or other suspending or connecting means. When such openings are omitted a relatively heavy cord 49 is passed through the ornaments between the elements thereof as by being threaded through the opening 50 (see Fig. 10) between the elements. This cord 49 is preferably of greater diameter than the opening 50 whereby it is slightly compressed between the two elements of a device so that said elements may be described as frictionally mounted on the cord. The cord may be of a soft compressible material and of any desired color and of such length that a extend substantially parallel to the respective wings of the other element of said device but in the opposite direction. That is, in Fig. 3 the wings I1 and I9 are substantially parallel but they extend in opposite directions and the same is true of the wings l3 and 20. In Fig. 10, the wings 36 and 38 extend parallel but in opposite directions as do the wings 31 and 39. Further,

the devices 33 are not collapsible since the edges of the slots in the wings of one element engage opposite surfaces of the wings of the other e1ement and so prevent the elements collapsing on one another since there'is no pivot point about which they may turn relatively.

With respect to the devices 33 it will be noted that frictional contact between the edges of theslots of one element and the surfaces of the wings of another element is not depended upon to maintain said elements in assembled relation.

Therefore, it is not necessary to cut theslots 40 through 43 with any great precision since a slight clearance is not objectionable but will on the other hand facilitate assembly. In addition to changes in the colors and sizes of the devices it will be apparent that they'may be made up to represent various figures. For Christmas tree ornaments the elements may represent bells, balls, etc., while for Halloween they may represent witches, pumpkins, etc., and for other occasions they may be made up in suitable shapes. Also, the elements may be of metal, wood, cardboard or the like and may be imperforate or may have portions removed therefrom.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. An ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two wings arranged in intersecta its wings disposed in the slots of the wings of;

the other element and with each wing of one crossing .a wing of the other whereby the ele merits are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament.

2. An ornament comprising a; pair of elements each including two wings arranged inintersecting planes,'one' of said elements slotted from the upper'edges' of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the loweredg'esfof its wings, each of said elementshaving portions of its wings disposed in the slots of the wings 'of the other element and with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other whereby the elements are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament, and a suspending means passing through the ornament and securing theelements in assembled relation.

3. An'ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two wings arranged in intersecting planes, one of said elements slotted from the upper edges of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the lower edges of its wings, each of said elements having portions of its wings disposed in the slots of the wings of the other element and with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other whereby the elements are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament, said elements having aligned openings therethrough, and suspending means passing through said openings and securing said elements together.

4. An ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two wings arranged in intersecting planes, one of said elements slotted from the upper edges of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the lower edges of its wings, each of said elements having portions of its wings disposed in the slots of the wings of the other element and with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other whereby the elements are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament, said elements having aligned openings therethrough, and means passing through said openings and securing said elements together.

5. An ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two angularly related wings, one of said elements slotted from the upper edges of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the lower edges of its wings, each of said elements having portions disposed in the slots of the other with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other, and a suspending means passing through the ornament between the elements thereof and securing the elements in assembled relation.

6. An ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two angularly related wings, one of said elements slotted from the upper edges of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the lower edges of its wings, each of said elements having portions disposed in the slots of the other with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other, a suspending means passing through the ornaments between the elements thereof and securing the elements in assembled relation, and said suspending means comprising a compressible cord.

7. An ornament comprising a pair of elements, each including two wings arranged in intersecting planes, one of said elements slotted from the upper edges of its wings, the other of said elements slotted from the lower edges of its wings, each of said elements having portions of one disposed in the slots of the other with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other whereby the elements are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament, said elements having aligned openings therethrough, suspending means passing through said openings and securing said elements together, and said suspending means comprising a length of wire.

8. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two wings angularly related, said elements assembled on one another with the wings of one substantially parallel with the respective wings of the other and extending inthe opposite direction, and said elements engaging one another in spaced relation to and at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby the assembled elements of an ornament brace one another and are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament. r

9. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two wings angularly related, said elements assembled on one another with the wings of one substantially parallel with but laterally offset relative to the respective wings of the other and extending in the opposite direction, and said elements engaging one another at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby the assembled elements of an ornament brace one another and are immovable relatively.

10. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a flat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, means passing through the fiat portions of and securing the elements together with the wings of each element extending away from the other element, and said elements secured together with their flat portions in engagement at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby said elements brace one another and are immovable relatively.

11. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a flat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, means passing through the fiat portions of and securing the elements together with the wings of each element extending away from the other element, and said elements secured together with their flat portions in engagement at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby said elements grace one another and are immovable relatively, and a single central suspending means passing through the flat portions of the elements of the ornament.

12. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a flat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, and means securing said elements together with their flat portions in alignment and held flat against one another whereby said elements in an ornament are in engagement at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament and thereby brace one another and are immovable relatively.

13. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a flat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, one of the elements having an opening through its flat portion, the other element having'a part of its flat portion carried through said opening and turned over to secure the elements together, and said elements having their fiat portions held in engagement at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby the elements brace one another and are immovable relatively.

14. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a flat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, one of the elements having an opening through its fiat portion, the other element having a part of its flat portion carried through said opening and turned over to secure the elements together and provide aligned openings through their flat portions, and said elements having their fiat portions held in engagement at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the ornament whereby the elements brace one another and are immovable relatively, and a suspending means passing through the aligned openings in said elements.

15. An ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two angularly related wings and a fiat vertically central portion between and connecting said wings, and said elements secured together through their flat portions whereby they are prevented from turning relatively about their vertical center lines.

16. An Ornament comprising a pair of independently rigid elements each including two wings disposed in intersecting planes and a connecting portion between said wings, said elements arranged with their connecting portions in engagement laterally of the center line of the omament, and means securing said connecting portions of the elements in rigid engagement with one another whereby the elements are immovable relatively about such vertical center line.

17. An ornament comprising a pair of elements each including two angularly related wings, said elements arranged with each wing of one crossing a wing of the other, and a suspending means passing through the ornament between the ele ments thereof and securing the elements in assembled relation.

18. An ornament comprising a body including a pair of elements each including two wings arranged in intersecting planes, said elements arranged with each wing of one element crossing and interlocked with a wing of the other element whereby the elements are immovable relatively about the vertical center line of the ornament, and a suspending means attached to the body of the ornament.

GEORGE A. GREENE. 

